ENH894

Cultural Guidelines for Commercial Production of Interiorscape Epipremnum1 Dennis B. McConnell, Jianjun Chen, Richard J. Henny, and Kelly C. Everitt2

Epipremnum, a in the family , derives its use, and lists physiological problems encountered in both name from a combination of two Greek words: epi meaning production and in the interiorscape (See Table 3). “on” and premnon meaning “trunk.” This describes the genus and its 10 known species as tree-climbing . The only species commercially produced and used as an interiorscape is E. aureum, commonly called pothos or devil’s ivy. This native of the Solomon Islands is one of the most common interiorscape . Millions of these plants have been grown and sold for use indoors during the last 80 years. Surprisingly, it was not until the 1960s that taxonomists finally decided this foliage favorite was a species in the genus. This plant had been previously classified asPothos aureus, aureus, and Raphidophora aurea. What was the reason for all these Figure 1. Commercial production of Epipremnum ‘Marble Queen’ in a name changes? Even in its native habitat pothos seldom shaded greenhouse. flowers, and correct taxonomic classification was only Credits: Jianjun Chen, UF/IFAS possible when enough flowers were collected in Florida and Puerto Rico for detailed examination. In tropical settings Cultural Guidelines pothos can grow to be large vines, climbing trees 50 feet Propagation tall and producing lobed, fenestrate leaves up to three feet The most common method used to propagate pothos is in length. Plants used for interiorscapes have heart-shaped to make one to 1½-inch stem cuttings with a node and an leaves that seldom exceed six inches in length. Their growth attached leaf. Buds break in 2–3 weeks and rooting occurs habit makes all these cultivars useful as totems, hanging in 3–4 weeks. If larger leafed cuttings are desired for totems, baskets, ground covers, pedestal plants, dish gardens, and stock plants are grown on a pole or similar support and tip small desk plants. This article describes commonEpiprem - cuttings are used. num species and cultivars in the foliage plant industry (See Table 1), provides guidelines on their culture and interior

1. This document is ENH894, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date April 2003. Reviewed November 2018. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. Dennis B. McConnell, professor, Environmental Horticultural Department; Jianjun Chen, professor, Environmental Horticultural Department, UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center; Richard J. Henny, professor, Environmental Horticultural Department, UF/IFAS MFREC; and Kelly C. Everitt, research assistant, UF/IFAS MFREC; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. Production Sphagnum peat, pine bark, vermiculite, or perlite can be volumetrically combined to formulate media for most container sizes. Three-foot and taller totems should have 10-20% coarse sand to keep plants from wind tipping. Media should have good moisture-holding capacity and aeration, soluble salts of 3–5 dS/m, and pH of 6.5 to 7.0.

Pothos should be grown in a shadehouse with temperature between 70 to 90°F and a relative humidity of 60 to 100%. Plant quality and growth rates begin to decline when day temperatures routinely exceed 95°F or night temperatures drop below 65°F. Controlled-release or water-soluble fertilizers, or a combination of both, can be used for pothos production. Use a fertilizer with an N:P:K ratio of 3:1:2 or 3:1:3. The suggested application rate is 5 lb N per 1,000 sq. ft per month. Table 2 provides a guide for determining if pothos are appropriately fertilized based on leaf analysis.

Pothos should be grown with levels of 63 to 80% shade (3250 to 2500 ft-c). Growth rate and color in the variegated cultivars decrease when shade levels are greater than 80% (2500 ft-c). Shipping and Interior care Pothos should be shipped at temperatures between 55°F and 65°F. Once plants are placed indoors, it is advisable not to re-pot or fertilize for about four weeks because plants do not need additional stresses. Plants should not be fertilized if soluble salts are 3.0 dS/m or more. If soluble salt levels are higher than 5.0 dS/m, percolation of media with water may help reduce potential leaf necrosis or damage to the root system. Media should be kept moist. In most interior locations pothos does better if grown “a little on the dry side.” They will tolerate light levels as low as 50 fc but new leaves will be small and variegated cultivars will lose color. Light levels of 150 fc or more will maintain color and leaf size. Temperatures of 70°F to 80°F are recommended.

Cultural Guidelines for Commercial Production of Interiorscape Epipremnum 2 Table 1. A listing of E. aureum cultivars available in Florida as of 2002. Cultivar or Common Name Characteristics ‘Golden Pothos’ Dark green leaves are freely but irregularly variegated with yellow and creamy white streaks, stripes, and splashes. ‘Hawaiian Pothos’ Variegation patterns are similar to ‘Golden Pothos’ but with a more striking yellow color. ‘Jade Pothos’ Leaves have no variegation. They are solid green. ‘Marble Queen’ Leaves are marbled with white variegation only.

Table 2. Nutrient concentrations in Epipremnum leaves. Nutrient Low Medium High Nitrogen (%) <2.6 2.7–3.5 >3.5 Phosphorus (%) <0.19 0.19–0.5 >0.5 Potassium (%) <2.9 3.0–4.5 >4.5 Calcium (%) <0.9 1.0–1.5 >1.5 Magnesium (%) <0.29 0.30–0.60 >0.6 Sulfur (%) <0.19 0.2–0.5 >0.5 Iron (ppm) <49 50–300 >300 Manganese (ppm) <35 50–300 >300 Zinc (ppm) <19 20–200 >200 Copper (ppm) <5 6–50 >50 Boron (ppm) <19 20–50 >50

Table 3. Causes and effects of various physiological problems. Symptoms Cause Treatment Scattered brown patches in center of the Exposure to 33°F–40°F for several hours Avoid low temperatures and abrupt temperature leaf. or abrupt temperature changes. changes. Older leaves turn yellow. Potting media is either kept too dry or Check moisture level of potting and change too wet. irrigation practices accordingly. New leaves lack variegation and are smaller Production light levels are too low, Increase production light levels. Apply magnesium than older leaves upon maturation. plants may be magnesium deficient, or nitrate spays. Use recommended fertilizer rates. fertilizer rates are too low. Burned, necrotic patches confined to the High light or heat. Remove plant from excessive heat or light into a variegated areas. more appropriate area. Leaves cannot recover.

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